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A town in Serbia famed for hosting the world's largest population of roosting long-eared owls is facing protests from locals over the erection of a statue of the bird that critics say resembles a phallus.

The 8ft terracotta sculpture was created to celebrate Kikinda’s status as a bird-watching hub. But locals in Kikinda are pushing for its removal, arguing its elongated shape and minimalist features are obscene.

The original Facebook post unveiling the statue triggered widespread ridicule. One protester said in a Facebook post: “Freud could say something about this statue, it looks so much like a phallus.”

"This is great," wrote another. "I just can't figure out what it reminds me of."

“This (statue) represents something very masculine, but not an owl,” one said on Twitter.

What long-eared owls look like in their natural habitatCredit:
MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS

The statue's creator, Jovan Blat, told Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti that he was prepared to make a new sculpture in light of the criticism.

He said the statue was not intended to be "a copy" of an owl, but rather a "stylised sculpture" with "an elongated, tubular body.” "It is clear... that everyone does not understand contemporary art," he said, while admitting he may have "some technical limitations".

Bird watcher Dragan Simic said the statue did not discourage him from visiting. "Kikinda is now famous for its owls... across Europe, even around the world... the bird-watchers are very active, numerous and loyal tourists," he said.

'It is clear... that everyone does not understand contemporary art,' the statue's creator saidCredit:
MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS

Zeljko Bodrozic, editor-in-chief of a local newspaper, said the owl monument should remain in Kikinda. “With all the hype swirling around it ... in a way it also becomes a symbol of our city,” he said.